Friday, June 19, 2009

Can a twenty-something woman trying to keep up with the boys in boudoir antics, bouncing from bed to bed, do so without any consequences or emotional scars?

In Mallery Avidon's frequently intriguing, yet ultimately frustrating new play fracture/mechanicscurrently being mounted by Chicago's bold Pavement Group theatre company, the answer appears to be a flat-out "no." Instead, there's a lot of anger and resentment.

Cyd Blakewell offers a particularly stunning turn as the coitus girl interrupted. Blakewell displays a remarkable, nearly manic range, often within a span of mere moments.

What was particularly captivating was the way in which this young woman's sex life was literally spinning out of control. Credit director David Perez for his keen eye on how mine the allegories inherent in her personal discoveries. Thanks to his vision, I actually felt chills running down my spine during the climactic turning point in the story.

Right through that critical moment, Avidon's script remained funny, engaging and wildly unpredictable. But from there, the 11th hour revelation offered a provocative detour that threw the show off balance. With that distraction, I was left pondering what clues I had missed all along. What Avidon's promising play is lacking an important degree of depth and elucidation. Fortunately for the audience, Perez's direction and his fearless ensemble do their best in transcending the material.

Broadway's 2010-11 Theatrical Season

About Me

As someone who has been involved in both politics and public relations, it's no wonder I love watching theatre. Good or bad, it's the raw energy of seeing a live performance that gets my adrenaline pumping. From the moment I saw my very first Broadway show ("Annie" in London in 1979), I was hooked. Now I see as many as 70 shows each year ranging from soaring musicals to two-hander plays. And these eyes just may be in an audience near you!